Family, Friends To Continue Search for Missing Man, Seek Help from Volunteers

The family and friends of a Bartow man reported missing April 4 plan to continue searching the Etowah River following a large sweep of the area last weekend, which involved volunteers and local law enforcement, but netted no new clues.

Richard "Blake" Cowart, 28, of Hardin Bridge Road outside Cartersville in Kingston, was last seen by his girlfriend the evening of April 3 wearing only pajama pants. The couple's home is near the banks of the Etowah River. 

Blake suffers from the or synthetic marijuana, or other drugs.

Brad Cowart, a distant relative and family friend, tells Cartersville Patch organizers are seeking volunteers to distribute fliers and follow up on tips the family receives, as well as searchers, kayakers and canoers to continue combing the Etowah River and surrounding area.

Bartow County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Jonathan Rogers tells Patch authorities haven't been involved in plans for a second Saturday search and are concerned for the safety of volunteers who want to participate.

Authorities last weekend were involved in what Rogers called a "massive" and "expansive" search of water and land conducted on foot, via helicopter and using four-wheelers and search-and-rescue dogs. Searchers found no sign of Cowart and no new leads as to his whereabouts, but don't suspect or have any evidence of foul play at this time, Rogers said.

Lt. Robert Moultrie tells Patch the search covered a 5-square-mile radius of Blakes home, including a large swath of the Etowah River, a difficult waterway to navigate due to water levels that rise and fall by up to 14 feet several times a week.

Blake called his mother or grandmother at least one or twice every day, but she hasn't heard from him since April 3, Moultrie said. Having missed several doses of his seizure medication, Blake also left his cell phone and cigarettes at home the night he went missing.

Those wishing to join the search or volunteer to help find Blake should meet at at Euharlee's Covered Bridge Store at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20, according to Brad Cowart.

Tell us what you think in the comments, share your photos and videos, and don’t miss any of the local news you care about—subscribe to Cartersville Patch's newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Related Content